The pioneering partnership between Government and the aviation
sector to fast-track zero emission flight has taken its next
step forward today (Friday 25thSeptember) with the
publication of the group’s members and key aims.
Following the first meeting of the Council earlier in the
summer, representatives from the UK’s leading aerospace,
aviation and technology sectors will work in lockstep with the
Transport Secretary, , the Aviation Minister, , and the
Business Secretary, to drive forward the Government’s ambitions for
clean aviation.
Industry leaders from Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Shell along with
representatives from some of Britain’s top aviation, tech, NGO
and investor groups, including John Holland-Kaye (Heathrow) and
Alex Cruz (IAG)) will aim to accelerate Government plans
through a laser focus on UK production facilities for
sustainable aviation fuels and the acceleration of the design,
manufacture and commercial operation of zero emission aircraft
in the UK, helping speed the sector towards a low-carbon
future.
Aviation Minister ,
said:
“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges faced by
modern society, and we know we need to go further and faster if
we are to make businesses sustainable long into the future.
“That’s why we’re bringing together Government, business and
investors to reduce emissions in the aviation sector – through
innovative technologies, such as sustainable fuels, hybrid and
eventually electric planes, we will build a cleaner, greener
and more sustainable future for all.”
The Council, which will establish sub-committees to accelerate
progress, will focus on reducing carbon dioxide emissions and
delivering clean growth. It will operate in the context of the
UK’s wider target for net zero emissions by 2050 – one of the
most ambitious targets in the world.
The partnership will leverage the UK’s world leading aviation
sector, which employs 230,000 people in the UK and
contributes £33billion to the UK economy,to effectively
tackle emissions while encouraging growth and green innovation.
Through this partnership, the UK will go further than ever
before in developing the first zero emission transatlantic
passenger aircraft.
The publication of the Council's aims today coincides with the
Aviation Minister’s visit to Cranfield, to witness the world’s
first hydrogen-electric passenger plane flight. ZeroAvia, a leading
innovator in decarbonising commercial aviation and supported by
BEIS through the ATI Programme, completed the flight at the
company’s R&D facility in Cranfield, England, with the
Piper M-class six-seat plane completing taxi, takeoff, a full
pattern circuit, and landing.
The full list of attendees can be found online, along with the
terms of reference.
